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Thursday, October 23, 2014

RUSSIA>> Sites for rites – new religious ceremonies law signed

The Russian President has signed into law the bill defining places
where religious ceremonies, including mass prayers and marches can be
held without prior notification or agreement from local authorities.

The law published on the government’s official portal on Thursday
states that services and other religious ceremonies can take
place in special buildings or on plots of land belonging to
religious groups, either fully-owned or leased. The rule applies
to organizations founded by religious groups, like a charity
foundation run by a church.

People can also freely conduct religious rituals in their own
homes and in official places of pilgrimage, at cemeteries and
crematoriums.

Previously, worshipers in Russia could only hold religious
ceremonies in public places if they informed the local
administration in advance about the gathering.

Now public religious ceremonies and rights are being regulated
the same was as ordinary rallies and meetings – a mass event
requires a sanction from local authorities. By granting a license
the authorities take responsibility for order and security at the
events. Religious rites and ceremonies can be done without a
license in special places dedicated for public events; the
Russian media has dubbed such places “Hyde Parks”.

The motion was prepared and drafted earlier this year by the
Justice Ministry following a string of complaints over mass
religious celebrations in Russian cities. City dwellers, mostly
ethnic Russians, became irritated by Muslim immigrants from
Central Asia who prayed in the streets and reportedly sometimes
sacrificed animals in city yards or even inside apartment blocks.

When the proposal was still discussed in parliament the Muslim
community gave it their support, saying it did not violate their
rights. The Russian Orthodox Church has also generally supported
the initiative.

It is in the interests of religious groups to
receive permission to stage a public religious ceremony, as
authorities will know to send ambulances and police to make sure
the service proceeds smoothly, the Church’s representatives have
said.

The only complaint from the clergy was over the formula
“public divine service” as lawyers from the Russian
Orthodox Church emphasized that there were no Christian services
closed to the public.